How to take an consumer product idea to a prototype phase?
I have an idea for a consumer product that I am looking to create a prototype of, but I do not have any experience in this space nor do I have any immediate connections who can help me. What steps can I take to find a professional to help me refine my idea and/or create a model or prototype of the product? How much of the process should I try to tackle myself? Thanks for any insights.
Answers (7)
Hugh O
Proofreader at M&M Candies
Best Answers in: Business Development (2), Web Development (2), Venture Capital and Private Equity (1), Government Policy (1), Internationalization and Localization (1), Intellectual Property (1), Change Management (1), Communication and Public Speaking (1), Starting Up (1), Energy and Development (1), Blogging (1), Wireless (1)
If it's a physical product, make one or hire somebody to make one. That's your prototype.
If your product is conceptual - such as a web service, software etc - I suggest you generate a website to present it as if it were already in existence, with all the bells and whistles - that puts substance on the concept, and can also help in registering it for IP protection.
If I can help in this direction, please contact me direct via my website.
Links:
Assuming you're referring to a physical product, a similar question surfaced here some time back and as my answer proved longer than permissible, I posted the response on my blog. You might also find it helpful.
On to your questions:
"How to take an consumer product idea to a prototype phase?"
This question has a couple of issues, imo. The first is defining "prototype". I tend to think of physical representations in these variations:
- Works-Like Model (aka "a Frankenstein")
- Looks-Like Model
- Works-Like/Looks-Like Model
- Prototype (sufficiently mimics the production unit to permit final review and sign off by all members of the development team)
The second issue is determining whether or not you require a "prototype". Unless you plan to take it through to production yourself, probably not.
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"What steps can I take to find a professional to help me refine my idea and/or create a model or prototype of the product?" and "How much of the process should I try to tackle myself?"
These are both probably best answered in the link I provided. And feel free to contact me if you have more questions.
Best of luck.
Links:
There is a lot involved even with a seemingly simple product. I would definately get a professional industrial designer to help instead of making costly mistakes and wasting your efforts on your own. There will need to be some funds to start but it's a wise investment in the long run. Get an NDA and shop around. Go with a real professional though, students are too risky for something you may want to take into real world production. If you are licensing it maybe have a designer take it to a presentation rendering and model level. If it is meant for production and you are selling it yourself a designer can take steps that will lead you to marketing it yourself. That is more involved but the rewards are also bigger. You can take a step, get funding with it, then take the next step, test it in focus groups, then refine, get preliminary orders, then take it to home base and get it made. We had a good expereince with a product designer that works with a lot of start-ups in exactly your situation.
Links:
Logan C also suggests this expert on this topic:
You need somebody capable of guiding you in Useability space, Design space, Production, Cost and looking for finance.
Basically this is all about Idea to product management.
Depending on your prodcut type, I can help there.
Jean-Marc
Melissa A
Product Definition and User Research at SolidWorks
Best Answers in: Industrial Design (1), Starting Up (1)
The answer also depends on what you hope to accomplish with this product.
If you want to go forward with selling this product yourself, you will need a business plan, with such information as estimated production costs, a marketing analysis (i.e., who will buy this and why), and projected sales. You may also want to investigate getting a patent, although this can be very expensive.
If you want to get a larger company to buy it from you, you'll probably have to follow the same steps, because you need to prove the value of the product to this large company.
I wouldn't invest the time and money in a prototype without first clearly setting out your goals for the product. That said, there are companies who can help you establish these goals. Product design consultancies, for example, often do this type of initial research and planning, in addition to the actual prototyping. Your best bet is to call around and talk to some design consultancies and see if they do this. (Avoid those companies that market themselves to "inventors".) If you'd like I can try to give you a list of likely candidates.
Depends how serious you are and how committed to the idea. As a product development firm we see and hear from many many inventors. It is the rare few that have both the good idea and the where with all to make it happen. Regardless of who you use to develop and manufacture it - you will need both money and perserverence.
We would be happy to discuss your idea (under NDA of course)
Best of luck!
www.bresslergroup.com
Andrew Weiman
215 209 3056
Stacy,
there are several professional design firms / individuals that can help you transform your idea into a complete product. best in class are one's like Ideo / Frog Design / Yves Bahar but they choose their clients. i'd try and answer the second part of your question - "how much of the process should i try and tackle myself"
the problem with most consumer products is that everyone has an opinion of what it should be like. specially at the early stages. most new ideas are not born out of high technology but are more of a subtle reconfiguration of the elements that make the product unique. this uniqueness is already well articulated, crisp and crystallized in your head. you know why it will matter to the user and this is your biggest contribution.
hence, before going to a professional it is important to articulate your product - some aspects of the product may be absolutely critical to you (e.g. it should fit into your pocket, or it should be lighter than a notebook) and you should stand by them no matter what.
your original idea will definitely evolve as you go through the phases of prototyping through manufacturing for large volume and it is good to be open and aware of how the slightest change in product configuration will have an overall market impact. sometimes overzealous designers try and "innovate" and you're often left with a diluted version of your original idea. on the other hand good designers will try to re-work the entire process, materials, manufacturing partners and everything if s/he is sold on your vision. i'd recommend you to be closely involved with the process of translating your product vision into a finished product and stay as hands on as possible.
- devang
